Beginning March 2nd, 2020 the Mailing Lists functionality on RootsWeb will be discontinued. Users will no longer be able to send outgoing emails or accept incoming emails. Additionally, administration tools will no longer be available to list administrators and mailing lists will be put into an archival state.
Administrators may save the emails in their list prior to March 2nd. After that, mailing list archives will remain available and searchable on RootsWeb
This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list.
Surnames: Colby
Classification: Query
Message Board URL:
http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/wQJ.2ACEB/320
Message Board Post:
I am looking for a Pat Colby that graduated from Girls Trade in Boston Massachusetts in 1951 or 1952. She might have been born in 1932. After graduation, she went to live with her grandmother in Tilton, New Hampshire. Her mother and probably a step father lived in a trailor park in West Roxbury. Their last name was LeCert (not sure of spelling). I do have a picture of what she looked like in 1952.
Thank you
Beth
This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list.
Surnames: Coulby Colby Benson
Classification: Query
Message Board URL:
http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/an/wQJ.2ACEB/319
Message Board Post:
My Name is Christina Coulby, i am continuing my grandad's research into our family history, and trying to trace my mothers family History. On the coulby side we go back to the 1500's, Colby seemed to change to Coulby around the 1740's/50's, and information about either of these names would be helpful.
My Mothers madien name is Benson, unfortunatley i have only been able to my great grandfather, James Herbert Benson, so any help for this would be most apprieciated.
Thanks
Tina
I found the answer to my own question today.
Charles Ellsworth Colby mother was Jennette Young
FHL Number 12313; COLBY, John P., Marriage: Jenett YOUNG, Date: 27 Oct
1858; Recorded in: Civil Records for Westport, Lincoln, Maine.
John P. Colby is John Parsons Colby b. 22 May 1833 Wesport, Maine s/o
Benjamin Colby and Mary Rines
Ron
----- Original Message -----
From: "Ronald Colby" <rmcolby(a)micro-net.com>
To: <COLBY-L(a)rootsweb.com>
Sent: Tuesday, May 21, 2002 11:06 AM
Subject: [COLBY] Charles Ellsworth Colby
Looking for information on this family and where they fit in.
Charles Ellsworth Colby b. 5 Nov 1861 Westport, Maine
Father is unknown, mothers given name is Jennette
Jennette married (1st) Colby & (2nd) John GREENLEAF
Jennette had two children by Colby
Charles E. Colby and a daughter Etta A. Colby b. 1864
Charles Ellsworth Colby married 8 Aug 1883 Annie May Perkins in Woolwich,
Sagadahoc, Maine
they had the following children:
Ernest Ellsworth Colby b. 25 Jan 1884 Westport, Lincoln, Maine
Jeannette Louise Colby b. 28 Jun 1886 Westport, Maine
Charles Herbert Colby b. 21 Nov 1892 Westport, Maine
Royden Greenleaf Colby b. 13 Mar 1894 Westport, Maine
Lawrence Trower Colby b. 8 Jun 1898 Westport, Maine
Any hints would be greatly appreciated.
Ronald Colby
rmcolby(a)micro-net.com
Salt Lake City, Utah
I finally got my head together, now my body is falling apart.
Home page:
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~colby/colbyfam
List Administrator for:
COLBY-L(a)rootsweb.com
UTSEVIER-L(a)rootsweb.com
==== COLBY Mailing List ====
COLBY CLAN ASSOCIATION
for membership information contact
Adeline S. Stack
26 Coolidge Ave.
South Portland, Maine 04106-5013
Phone (207) 799-1648
==============================
To join Ancestry.com and access our 1.2 billion online genealogy records, go
to:
http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=571&sourceid=1237
Looking for information on this family and where they fit in.
Charles Ellsworth Colby b. 5 Nov 1861 Westport, Maine
Father is unknown, mothers given name is Jennette
Jennette married (1st) Colby & (2nd) John GREENLEAF
Jennette had two children by Colby
Charles E. Colby and a daughter Etta A. Colby b. 1864
Charles Ellsworth Colby married 8 Aug 1883 Annie May Perkins in Woolwich,
Sagadahoc, Maine
they had the following children:
Ernest Ellsworth Colby b. 25 Jan 1884 Westport, Lincoln, Maine
Jeannette Louise Colby b. 28 Jun 1886 Westport, Maine
Charles Herbert Colby b. 21 Nov 1892 Westport, Maine
Royden Greenleaf Colby b. 13 Mar 1894 Westport, Maine
Lawrence Trower Colby b. 8 Jun 1898 Westport, Maine
Any hints would be greatly appreciated.
Ronald Colby
rmcolby(a)micro-net.com
Salt Lake City, Utah
I finally got my head together, now my body is falling apart.
Home page:
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~colby/colbyfam
List Administrator for:
COLBY-L(a)rootsweb.com
UTSEVIER-L(a)rootsweb.com
Would like to know if Charles Lewis Colby b. 22 MAY 1839 Newton, Middlesex
County, Massachusetts s/o Gardner Colby and Mary Lou Roberts married Anna
Sims Knowlton.
There is a:
Howard Augustus Colby b. 10 May 1871 Brooklyn, Kings, New York
s/o Charles Lewis Colby and Anna Sims Knowlton
Wondering if they connect to Gardner Colby.
Ronald Colby
rmcolby(a)micro-net.com
Salt Lake City, Utah
I finally got my head together, now my body is falling apart.
Home page:
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~colby/colbyfam
List Administrator for:
COLBY-L(a)rootsweb.com
UTSEVIER-L(a)rootsweb.com
In the 1850 census I have Cyrus Colby and Mehitable Brown
also living with him is Cyrus's mother, and his sister, Esther.
There is also a Amos Colby 9 years old.
Who is Amos, is he a out of wedlock son of Esther?
Occupants listed at this residence: 107 - 111
Name Age/Sex Occupation Worth Birth School
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------
Cyrus Colby 28 M Farmer $2,500 NH
Mehitable 26 F NH
Sarah J. 1 F
NH
Maria Colby 74 F NH
Esther 40 F
NH
Amos 9 M
NH Y
==================================================
Ronald Colby
rmcolby(a)micro-net.com
Salt Lake City, Utah
I finally got my head together, now my body is falling apart.
Home page:
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~colby/colbyfam
List Administrator for:
COLBY-L(a)rootsweb.com
UTSEVIER-L(a)rootsweb.com
Searching for Colby wills
this idea came across on another list and I thought I would forward it
On Google search enter the following.
Colby, executors
This will bring up all wills listed on the internet for Colby
Want to search another surname, just change the Colby to the name you want.
Ronald Colby
rmcolby(a)micro-net.com
Salt Lake City, Utah
I finally got my head together, now my body is falling apart.
Home page:
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~colby/colbyfam
List Administrator for:
COLBY-L(a)rootsweb.com
UTSEVIER-L(a)rootsweb.com
----- Original Message -----
From: <ncweldon(a)aol.com>
To: <MAESSEX-L(a)rootsweb.com>
Sent: Sunday, May 05, 2002 5:31 PM
Subject: [MAESSEX] TAYLORs, LEONs, COLBYs, PENNEYs
> This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list.
>
> Classification: Query
>
> Message Board URL:
>
> http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/3EB.2ACE/810
>
> Message Board Post:
>
> Most of the first two generations I have are according to written family
tradition. George TAYLOR an English sea captain, came to Salem, MA in the
latter part of the 1700s, with his wife Hannah. They had four known
children: George bd 1795, John bd 1799, Mary Eliza bd 1802 or 1897, John bd
1807. On one of his voyages to Spain, he brought back a little Spanish boy
named George (Jorge) LEON to be sent to school and educated. He lived with
the family of George TAYLOR and later married one of his daughters, named
Mary. They had 4-6 children: George bd 1829, Mary bd 1832, Katie bd 1834,
John bd 1836, Lydia bd 1838/48, and possibly others. The husband (Jorge)
died rather young and his wife, Mary, raised all of the children by hard
work. George-the son, married a Margaret MCCLOY and went to CA, where they
had four children: George A., Mary E., Katie H., and Edward H. They were in
CA by the 1860 census. Jorge & Mary's daughter Katie married a John PENNEY
and their daughter Nellie !
> (adopted per family history) married a Henry HENRIOULLE in CA in 1891. One
of Jorge and Mary's other daughters Lydia married a James T. COLBY
(evidently James 2nd marriage) and they had 2 daughters: Mary and Ella per
the 1880 census in San Jose, CA. Ella marries a Joe KLEIN and they have 2
children: Mildred and Leon.
> I would love to find other lines and exchange info.
> Thank you
>
> ______________________________
Additional information about the previous post on Charles A. Colby.
Charles Colby and Martha Hilton are listed in the 1880 census living in
Milwaukee.
Listed living with him is 2 niece's and a nephew.
Does anyone know which of his brothers these children belonged to and
why they are living with him??
Could they be family members of Martha's family adopted by Charles??
Census Place: E. 1/2 Of 8th Ward, Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Source: FHL Film 1255437 National Archives Film T9-1437 Page 507C
Relation Sex Marr Race Age
Birthplace
C. A. COLBEY Self M M W
40 ME
Occ: Teamster
Fa: ME Mo: ME
Martha COLBEY Wife F M W
33 NY
Occ: K. H.
Fa: NY Mo: NY
Julia COLBEY Niece F S W
21 NY
Fa: NY Mo: NY
Andrew COLBEY Nephew M S W 18
NY
Fa: NY Mo: NY
Kate COLBEY Niece F S W
13 NY
Fa: NY Mo: NY
Chas. COLBEY Son M S W
5 WI
Fa: NY Mo: NY
=========================================================
Ronald Colby
rmcolby(a)micro-net.com
Salt Lake City, Utah
I finally got my head together, now my body is falling apart.
Home page:
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~colby/colbyfam
List Administrator for:
COLBY-L(a)rootsweb.com
UTSEVIER-L(a)rootsweb.com
>From The Portrait and Biographical Album of Rock County, Wis., publ, 1889 -
page 459, 460
CHARLES A. COLBY, who is engaged in the restaurant business at Clinton,
Wis., was born in New Vineyard, Franklin Co., Me., on the 13th day of July,
1839. His parents, Nathan D. and Sybil (PEASE) COLBY, were also natives of
the same State, and in 1842, when our subject was but three years of age,
emigrated to Rock County, settling in Beloit, which was then a small
village, there being but three houses on the west side of the river. Their
family numbered seven children, as follows: Alphues, the eldest, enlisted in
the 3d Maine Infantry and gave his life in defense of his country, being
killed at the battle of Frederick; Charles A., of this sketch, is the second
in order of birth; William is now editor of the Free Press, published at
Burlington, Wis.; Alvin P. is now editing the Union Grove Enterprise; Ida is
the wife of Nelson McKEE, a resident of Beloit; Nathan is editor of the
Pecatonica News, published at Pecatonica, Ill.; Frank is a resident farmer
of Chase City, Va. Since removing with his family to Rock County in 1842,
Nathan COLBY has made his home here. He is now seventy-nine years of age,
and is a highly respected citizen. In early life he cast his ballot with
the Old Whig party, voted for William Henry Harrison in 1840, and in 1888
supported the illustrious grandson of that General. His sons have all
followed in the footsteps of their father in the political life, and are
worthy and valued citizens. The death of Mrs. COLBY occurred in December,
1884. She was a most estimable lady and a sincere and consistent Christian,
a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Coming with his parents to Rock County at the early age of three years, our
subject was reared to manhood in Beloit, receiving his education in the
public schools of that city. With fearful interest he watched the dark
cloud of war which gathered over the country, determined that if necessary
he would strike a blow for his country's freedom. When Ft. Sumter was fired
upon and its echoes for war and ere three days had passed, had offered his
services as a defender of the stars and stripes, enlisting in Company F, 1st
Wisconsin Infantry, under Col. (afterward General) Starkweather. Being
mustered in at Milwaukee, the regiment was then sent to Chambersburg, Pa.,
thence to Williamsport and on to Falling Waters, where they met the enemy in
an engagement, several of the company being wounded, while one, George
Drake, was killed, the date of his death being July 2, 1861. In August, the
term of enlistment, three months, having expired, they were mustered out of
service.
On the 30th day of the same month Mr. COLBY re-enlisted, becoming a member
of the 4th Wisconsin Battery, under Capt. John Valce. The Company was
mustered in at Racine, and in January, 1862, was sent to Washington, D.C.,
then on to Baltimore and subsequently to Ft. Monroe, where it remained about
ten months. It was at Suffolk during the siege of Longstreet, and while
there he witnessed the encounter between the Monitor and the Merrimac, which
had previously sunk the "Cumberland" and the "Congress," two of the best
vessels of the Union Navy. The victory there achieved was the first real
success gained by the Union Navy, and the feeling of joy which swept over
the country, when the result was announced, can better be imagined than
described. That scene, Mr. COLBY says, was the grandest sight which he has
even been permitted to witness. In May, 1863, the 4th Wisconsin Battery was
ordered from Suffolk and participated in the raid on Yorktown under Gen.
Dix, then on to Gloucester Point, where it was stationed until the following
fall. Orders then came to go into winter quarters at Portsmouth, and the
following spring it participated in the Blackwater raid, after which it
marched to James River, under the command of Gen. Butler, and was in the
front ranks during the siege of Richmond, which continued during the greater
part of the summer. At the battle of Malvern Hill, the army suffered
defeat, losing all their guns, which they recaptured, however, on the 1st of
next May. After the surrender of Lee, when hostilities had ceased, the
company was discharged and mustered out at Richmond.
Returning to his home at the close of the war, Mr. COLBY there remained
until the spring of 1866, when, being attracted by the discovery of gold at
Pike's Peak he crossed the plains to Colorado, and remained in the west for
one year. Returning to his home in 1870, he was united in marriage with
Miss Martha a. HILTON, a daughter of Adam and Elizabeth HILTON, early
settlers of Beloit,. The lady is a native of Oswego, N.Y., and by their
union one child has been born, Charles N.
In July 1871, Mr. COLBY removed to Milwaukee, where he remained until the
fall of 1881, when he went to Burlington, Wis., and engaged in the
restaurant business for about a year and a half. At the end of that time he
sold out and removed to Janesville, but subsequently resided in Rockford,
where he made his home until coming to Clinton. He here embarked in the
restaurant business, and has built up a good trade, which he richly
deserves. He possesses that energy and ability which ensures success, and
is a leading citizen of the community where the greater part of his life has
been spent. In political affiliations, he is a stalwart Republican, and
socially, is a member of the G.A.R. Post. We are pleased to record his
sketch in the history of his adopted county, knowing that it will be
received with pleasure by his many friends.
This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list.
Classification: Query
Message Board URL:
http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/an/wQJ.2ACEB/318
Message Board Post:
Hi All,
I saw this Bible on ebay with some family information in it and thought one of you should have it. Here's the description, the link follows:
*Smaller Bible was proably given when the owner was married in 1844,measures 3 3/4 x 5 3/4" is a hardbound copy with soft worn leather covering.Missing a few pages in the middle.The other measures 7 1/2" x 4 3/4" appears to be intact and has several handwritten pages of births & deaths of the Colbey family beginning with Elijah in 1798;the latest entry is 1877.leather embossed cover shows less wear than the smaller Bible. If you have any questions please email me before you bid. Always include the item number when emailing. Buyer pays shipping and insurance $6.00(if in US). International buyers please email for shipping fees.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2101000782
Paul
I am hoping that someone on this list can help me in identifying this
Colby/Bateman Family.
George W. Colby (no information) married Martha Bateman (no
information), they are my great-grandparents. They had at least one
daughter, named Stella Albina Colby, born 02 OCT 1896 in Haverhill,
Essex County, MA. Stella Colby married a Steven Elbridge Hill on 26 APR
1915 in Haverhill, MA. Stella died 29 OCT 1990 in Haverhill MA.
I would greatly appreciate any help in finding out more about George
Colby and his wife Martha.
Thank you,
Edie Suttle, jsattle9(a)fuse.net
In a message dated 5/4/2002 8:01:02 AM Hawaiian Standard Time,
COLBY-D-request(a)rootsweb.com writes:
> Volume 02 : Issue 36
This samuel Colby is my family and several still live in many cities of
Wisconsin. Does anyone have more information on the Samuel and Eliza Douglas
parents. I have the children they had but would like to get more on parents
and siblings, such as dates. Would also like an update on the children if
possible. Can anyone help me out here and back up the information with facts?
I am not interested in those that have added this to their tree as a
conclusion without documentation or facts. Would appreciated hearing from a
true family member. You can reach me at HIFROMMAUI(a)AOL.com Thanks
Marilyn
>From The Portrait and Biographical Album of Rock County, Wis., publ, 1889 -
page 318, 319
ELON A. DOUGLAS, an honored pioneer and representative citizen residing on
section 3, Plymouth Township, is a native of Oneida County, N.Y., born April
27, 1822, at Monroe, N.Y., and is one of the family of thirteen children,
but three of whom are now living. His parents were David and Rhoda (PHELPS)
DOUGLAS, the former born in Middletown, Conn., Feb. 7, 1785, and the latter
in Windsor, the same State, Feb. 2, 1788. They were married at Whitestown,
N.Y., March 27, 1806. Their children, in order of birth, were as follows:
Melissa, born Feb. 24, 1807, at Whitestown, N.Y., became the wife of S. H.
CHIPMAN, and the mother of two children; Eliza, born Sept. 10, 1809, at
Whitestown, N.Y., married Samuel COLBY, and died at Brodhead, Wis., Nov. 19,
1867; Stephen C., born May 31, 1812, married Ella STUPPER, by whom he had
three children; Rhoda, born Dec. 18, 1815, at Avon, N.Y., died Sept. 8,
1816, at Ontario, N.Y.; David P., born July 6, 1818, at Sweden, N.Y., is
living near Johnson, Neb., and is the husband of Mary L. Coryell, by whom he
has five children - David, Hall, Cora, Arthur, and Annie; Daniel C., born
June 18, 1820, at Genesee, N.Y., died ______; Elon A., the subject of this
sketch; James Sidney, born March 26, 1824, at Pontiac, Mich., died Oct. 20,
1832; Mary B., born May 26, 1826, at Pontiac, Mich., died Sept. 15, 1827;
Albert C., who was born on the 25th of November, 1827, at Pontiac, Mich., is
living at Brodhead, Wis.; Elisha E., born Nov. 4, 1829, at Pontiac, Mich.,
died Aug. 27, 1834, at the same place; Esther M., born June 15, 1833, at
Pontiac, Mich., died Aug. 27, 1834, at the same place.
During his youth, in company with his parents, our subject left the Empire
State and emigrated to what was then the Far West, settling at that time in
Michigan. While residing in that State a preacher came to visit them, and
was taken down with the cholera, and all of the family with the exception of
the mother, were stricken down with that disease. Elon A., then a boy, was
sent on horseback for the doctor, and while on his way was taken sick,
having to be held on his horse on the return trip. In order that the
disease should not spread and infect the whole town, the house of Mr.
DOUGLAS was burned by the citizens and a new one erected for him. Later the
family removed to Rock County, settling in Plymouth Township. David DOUGLAS
was the first permanent resident of the town, and built the first house
within its borders. At that time not a settlement had been made between his
home and the village of Janesville, and the country was almost in its
primitive condition. Our subject can remember seeing herds of four or five
hundred deer. His father entered and purchased land to the extent of 880
acres, which he placed under a high state of cultivation. However, as his
children grew up, he divided his land between them, retaining only 160 acres
for his own use. He was one of the prominent early settlers of the
community, and was held in high respect by all. David DOUGLAS died at
Brodhead, Wis., June 12, 1872. Rhoda DOUGLAS died at Brockport, N.Y., June
19, 1853.
In 1849 Elon A. DOUGLAS was united in marriage with Miss Martha BEACH, a
daughter of Francis and Maria (HURD) BEACH, who were the parents of five
children, three of whom are yet living: Hopson, who is a resident of
Footville, married Libby RUSH, by whom he has two children - Ella and
Lillie, the former now the wife of Edward LYTLE, who is living in Albany,
Green County, and the latter is now the wife of Ernest PARMLEY; Martha, the
deceased wife of our subject, is the next in order of birth; F. T., who is
living in La Cygne, Linn Co., Kan., married Lucinda DAVIS, and to them have
been born two children - Jennie and Minnie; Watson, now deceased, married
Sabela PURDY, and their union was blessed with three children - Alexander,
Nellie, and Rosa.
Mr. and Mrs. DOUBLAS were the parents of three children: Mary, who was born
Sept. 6, 1851, is the wife of E. W. FISHER, a representative of one of the
pioneer families of the county, and a leading farmer of Rock Township. Unto
them have been born five children, all of whom are yet living - John, Jacob,
Harriet, Joseph, and Whitney; H.O., born Oct. 10, 1856, is a resident of
Oberlin, Kan. He wedded Anna L. MILLER, born March 6, 1864 in Athens
County, Ohio. They were married Jan. 10, 1883, at Oberlin, Kan., and now
have three children - Mattie, born Dec. 21, 1883; Myrrel, May 8, 1885; and
Hazel, June 26, 1887. William O., who was born on the 25th of January,
1866, is engaged in farming on land adjoining the old homestead, married Ida
ELLIS, and to them have been born one child, Elenie.
On the 4th of May, 1889, Mrs. DOUGLAS left her home to visit Mrs. BEACH, a
sister-in-law, apparently in good health. The next day she laid down to
take a little rest. Mrs. BEACH also laid down in an adjoining room and fell
asleep, but was soon awakened by a strange noise in Mrs. DOUGLAS' room. Her
son also heard the noise, and both rushed in, and, to their horror, found
Mrs. DOUGLAS dead. A physician was at once called, who pronounced her dead,
the cause being heart disease. Three children and a kind and loving husband
were left to mourn her loss.
Mr. DOUGLAS is engaged in general farming on section 3, Plymouth Township,
where he owns a fine farm of eighty acres, valued at $100 per acre. Being a
man of progressive ideas, everything about his place denotes thrift and
enterprise. For some time he engaged quite extensively in the breeding of
Durham cattle and graded Norman horses, and was very successful in that line
of business. He is regarded as one of the leading farmers in the township,
and is one of the most prominent citizens in the community. Stanch in
support of the Republican party, he exerts a stronger influence in political
affairs than any man in the town, and has done much toward the advancement
of that great organization in his neighborhood. Although now an old man, he
took an active part in the campaign of 1888. He has held several official
positions, before reaching his majority being elected Collector and
Constable, and for ten consecutive years served in the former office in
Plymouth Township. He is also a friend to education, believing that to be
useful in life one must be well educated. His sons were both graduates of
Silbee's Commercial College, of Janesville, and his daughter, who was
educated in the Janesville College, was a successful teacher in the district
schools. Mr. DOUGLAS was a participant in the pioneer life of Rock County,
and has been identified with its growth and development for many long years.
He has won the confidence and love of all who know him, and we are pleased
to record his sketch in the permanent history of the banner county of this
great Commonwealth.
Note - in the 1st paragraph, the book states that Daniel C. was born June
18, 1820 and died Aug. 31, 1734 - an obvious mistake. Since both Elisha and
Esther died in Aug 27, 1834, perhaps Daniel died 4 days later - perhaps that
being when the family was stricken with cholera.
>From The Portrait and Biographical Album of Rock County, Wis - page 360,
361
H. O. DOUGLAS, who is a native of Rock County, Wis., and a prominent
liveryman of Oberlin, Decatur Co., Kan., was born on the 31st of October,
1856, and followed farming in this community until twenty-three years of
age. He was liberally educated, receiving a diploma from the Janesville
Commercial College, Jan. 1, 1875. Three years later, Oct. 23, 1878, he
arrived at Oberlin, Kan., making an overland trip with three horses, a
wagon, a set of harness and about $25 in cash, his whole possessions
amounting to not more than $300. Immediately after his arrival, he engaged
in freighting from Oberlin to Buffalo Park, which was then the nearest
railroad point, and was fifty-five miles distant. In the early part of
January, 1879, he went to Kirwin, ninety-five miles away, in order to secure
a quarter-section of land one mile west of Oberlin. The remainder of the
winter was spent in the employ of S. F. COLBY, to whom Mr. DOUGLAS
attributes much of his success in after years. He received $15 per month,
and while working for that gentleman assisted in digging the first well ever
dug on the divides of Decatur County, which was ninety-five feet in depth.
In February, 1879, Mr. DOUGLAS formed a partnership with Mr. COLBY, under
the firm name of COLBY & DOUGLAS, and engaged in hauling lumber form Buffalo
Park to Oberlin. The firm soon built a small feed barn, 32x32 feet,
borrowing the money for that purpose at 12 per cent interest. It was the
first enterprise of the kind in Decatur County. The first hay fed by them
was hauled thirty-five miles, and $20 per ton was refused for it; corn was
purchased at $1.25 per bushel, but oats could not be obtained at any price.
During the spring and summer of 1879 Mr. DOUGLAS would spend the day in
turning the sod on his homestead, going to the barn at night to sleep, but
often would spend the hours until midnight, or sometimes later, in caring
for the weary horses of travelers. The first stock of livery owned by the
firm of COLBY & DOUGLAS consisted of a broncho and a buckboard, which they
let on the 19th of June, 1879, it being the first livery rig hired in the
county. On the 17th of July they purchased "Dutch," of the celebrated team
known as "Dutch and French," being eighteen years old. As the county became
more settled the business increased in consequence, and in August Mr. COLBY
went to Wisconsin, where he purchased a team, one new open buggy, a spring
wagon and a second-hand top buggy - the first in the county - for which Mr.
DOUGLAS gave his note for a half interest in the same. Then the hard times
came on, and for awhile business was nearly at a standstill. On the 11th of
September, 1880, Mr. DOUGLAS bought the interest of his partner, the
inventory amounting to $1,194, while the assets equaled $1,594. Mr. DOUGLAS
then owed $873. He then rented Mr. COLBY's half of the barn at $10 per
month, hired Pat BOYLES at $12 per month, and found himself fairly launched
in the livery business, his first patron being George DARLINSON, who hired a
saddle-horse for twenty-five cents. In July, 1881, he bought out Mr.
COLBY's interest in the barn, giving his note for $500, and in the spring of
1885, when immigration was great, his trade became immense. In March of
that year, while sick in bed, he planned and fitted out a stage line from
Oberlin to McCook, buying some of the necessary stock while still confined
to his home by sickness. That was without doubt the largest line ever run
in the West. The distance was thirty-two miles, and the trip was often made
in three and a half hours, always making connection with the train no matter
how bad the roads or weather. On this line there was taken in from March 16
to April 16, above all expenses, over $600. In one day the proprietor
conveyed with his stage and livery forty-two passengers. He never stopped
selling tickets, and would even buy stock to make good his obligations.
After the railroad was built business settled down to a quiet yet increasing
trade. The spring of 1886 found Mr. DOUGLAS shipping horses from Missouri
for farm purposes, thus assisting in opening up the country. He brought the
first sleigh to the county in 1887. Thus, from the broncho and buckboard,
with a livery business of about $400, located in a barn 32x32 feet, with
barely a capital of $300, his business has steadily increased until, in 1887
alone, it amounted to over $5,100, an increase of $1,200 over the previous
year. He has now some twenty magnificent turnouts, his barn is 48x100 feet,
with an addition of 28x72 feet, and he now has a capital of $1,800. The
energy and business capacity characteristic of Mr. DOUGLAS have enabled him
to attain the success which he has accomplished. He is an active worker for
everything that tends or promises to forward the interests of Oberlin and
Decatur County, and, in the transaction of any and all business, he is
polite, accommodating and prompt. The name of H. O. DOUGLAS will always
stand prominently forward as one of the important factors in the building up
of the city which he now makes his home.
Surnames: Douglass, Colby, Holmes, Sears, Noggle, Crall, Fox, Clawson,
Fockler, Adams, Luman, Ayers, Smiley, Hohensheldt, Gundel, Thomas, Ranney,
Highme, Chapman, Beckman, Foot, Richards, Bancroft, Northway, Maxon, Beach,
Gilbert
>From The Portrait and Biographical Album of Rock County, Wis - page 1020,
1021
Plymouth is situated in the southwest quarter of the county. It was
organized by act of Territorial Legislature, approved March 8, 1848, to
include all the township 2 north, of range 11 east, was first settled in the
spring of 1841. David and Stephen DOUGLASS and Samuel COLBY arrived with
their families from Michigan on the 31st of May, and pitched their tent near
the center of section 2, on the bank of a branch of Bass Creek. They made
use of their tent and covered wagons, of which they had three, for a
habitation, and they were enabled to build a house for the elder DOUGLASS.
Their nearest neighbors east were Jasper P. SEARS, on Rock river, and Judge
HOLMES and family, who lived on the farm of now owned by NOGGLE. To the
west were John CRALL, Abraham FOX, John D. HOLMES, Alanson CLAWSON, Wendel
FOCKLER, George W. ADAMS and father, with their families, some nine miles
distant. The first town meeting was held Aug. 28, 1848. The supervisors
elected were Caleb LUMAN, chairman; George AYERS and Samuel SMILEY. The
number of votes polled was seventy-one.
Hanover, in the town of Plymouth, at the junction of the Chicago, Milwaukee
& St. Paul Railway and the Chicago & Northwestern Railway, eight miles
southwest of Janesville, was first located by Joseph HOHENSHELDT, in 1844.
He was followed the next year by Mathias GUNDEL, and wife, but about that
time immigration almost ceased. The village was platted April 16, 1856, by
John L. V. THOMAS and wife, proprietors. The Milwaukee & Mississippi
Railroad, as the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul road was then called, was
finished so that the first freight was received at Hanover, Sept. 1857. In
1856 a post-office was established, with William RANNEY as postmaster. The
first birth was that of Montana HOHENSHELDT in 1845. The first marriage was
that of Simon HOHENSHELDT and Miss FOX, in 1854. The first store was opened
in 1856, by Nathan HIGHME. A gristmill was built in the same year by S. F.
CHAPMAN and is now owned by A. BECKMAN. The school house was erected in
1858. The village has one church, of the German Lutheran denomination.
Footville, on the northern border of the town of Plymouth, on the Chicago &
Northwestern Railway, ten miles west of Janesville, was first settled in
1845, by Mr. E. A. FOOT, from whom it derives its name. The locality was
formerly known as Bachelors' Grove, and for six years had the distinction of
being the terminus of the Galena & Chicago Union Railroad (as the line was
first designated) then in course of construction. E. F. RICHARDS was the
second settler, and his and Mr. FOOT's and two other families, who came
later, constituted Footville's population until 1854, when the railroad
became an established fact. The first store was opened by Watson BEACH, in
1853; the second in 1854, by BANCROFT & NORTHWAY. The first born here was a
daughter of E. F. RICHARDS, who later became Mrs. N. L. MAXON. The first
marriage was that of E. A. DOUGLASS and Martha BEACH, Christmas, 1846. The
first death was that of a woman at Mr. FOOT's house. Julius GILBERT taught
the first school in a log-house belonging to Mr. FOOT in 1848. About a year
later a school house was built half a mile north of the village, in Center,
which in 1853 was removed to Footville and was occupied there for school
purposes until 1855, when the Methodist Church was built and the school was
removed to it, continuing there till 1875, when the church burned and an
adequate frame school house was built. The post-office, formerly Bachelors'
Grove, was established in 1845, with E. F. RICHARDS as postmaster. The
village contains two stores, two blacksmith-shops, a harness-shop, a
shoe-shop, a hotel and three churches. Population 300.